UKIE responds to UK government’s social media ban for under-16s and potential impact on Twitch and gaming livestreams

Craig Robinson, Senior Editor

Last Updated: 15/06/2026

This morning, the UK’s Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, announced that the UK would follow in Australia’s footsteps and implement a social media ban for under-16s.

The news comes as part of the Labor Party’s manifesto for child safety legislation on the internet. The ban will commence from January 2027, and ban social media usage like X, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok, and put restrictions on YouTube Kids, but will keep instant messaging platforms like WhatsApp open.

The memo explains the rationale for the ban and clarifies what it targets. The post also distinctly mentions livestreaming and even gaming services. The reason is that it describes it as protecting children from ‘user-to-user’ content, which, under its definition, also includes livestreaming. This has a direct impact on gaming and esports cultures here in the UK, with the likes of Twitch potentially facing bans under the same measures that specifically mention the big social media players.

However, it is still unclear to what extent this will affect the gaming space. Another release of information on the social media ban is scheduled for July, which could clarify how the gaming and livestreaming entertainment space is affected. Given that Facebook Live and TikTok livestreams qualify under user-to-user and livestreaming conditions, it’s likely Twitch will fall under those categories too.

UKIE responds to the social media ban announcement

Given the confusion regarding the matter, we reached out to UKIE, the largest UK trade body encompassing the wider UK gaming industry. Nick Poole, CEO of UKIE told Esports News UK:

“The video games industry shares the Government’s commitment to keeping young people safe online. We welcome the recognition in today’s announcement that games are distinct from social media. Through initiatives like the PEGI age rating system, we have provided parents and players with clear, trusted guidance on age-appropriate game content for more than 20 years. Major platforms have demonstrated significant safety innovation in this area, including communication features which are switched off by default for child accounts. We have offered to act as a technical partner to Government to co-create regulatory frameworks appropriate to games and to provide evidence on what is working.”

UKIE also issued Esports News UK with updates about PEGI, which now classify games with unrestricted communications as an 18, regardless of how the game actually plays or what it features. Further, it mentioned a partnership with Intern Matter, helping to coopt guides about gaming in online spaces safely across genres, which you can find at AskAboutGames.

Esports News UK has also reached out to others that could be impacted including Twitch and other government agencies regarding the potential impact on UK esports growth plans. We will update this article with any responses received.

Until then, there remains palpable confusion around what this means for livestreaming and user-to-user content. Games like League of Legends, for example, are rated PEGI 12. Potential live streaming blocks of user generated content could keep those under 16 from watching guides and videos of games they can legally play. There are also risks of esports broadcasts being blocked too, which could have an impact on the UK’s grassroots scene.

Esports News UK has historically covered UK schools and their dreams of esports stardom, which may now be less appealing heading into 2027. We would expect further detail to emerge in later government announcements and expect industry lobbies such as the UK Esports Advisory Committee, and entities such as the British Esports Association to weigh in on the specifics.

Craig Robinson, Senior Editor

Craig began his career with Esports News UK back in 2015/2016, looking to write about a passion while studying at Manchester Metropolitan University. He stayed there for several years before moving on to other websites to begin his career after graduating. Now he's back, covering esports adjacent topics and UK stories.

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